Our Journey in a Nutshell!!!

Well...this blog is long overdue...I should have started it back at the beginning of the year when we first decided that we were going to adopt. Since I've procrastinated this long...I'll have to give you the update on our lives in a quick nutshell.

Back at the beginning of the year, Joe and I really prayed about what God's plan was for our lives and for making our family larger. We always knew we didn't want Benjamin to be an only child, but weren't sure when or how God would bless us with another child. Ever since I went on a mission trip to Brazil in 2002, we knew we would adopt, but we just weren't sure when. After much prayer...we decided to officially begin the process in February of this year.

We signed with an agency to do our homestudy on 2/6/06 (interview us and make sure our home was ready for another little one) and also an adoption agency in South Carolina. People often ask..."Why Palmetto Hope?"...my reply is...I did a ton of research on agencies and really felt this was the agency for us.

After our homestudy was completed...we waited for our I-171H which is a simple piece of paper that says we can bring an orphan into the country. This was a HUGE step for us, because we couldn't get a referral of a baby without it. The Detroit office is known for being slow, so after what it seemed like waiting forever...we were so PLEASANTLY surprised that we received it on May 11, 2006!!!

We were now totally paper ready...our homestudy was finished, we had our I-171-H and our dossier (ton of paperwork that needs to be done specifically to adopt from Guatemala) was finished. We were just waiting for a referral (picture, information, medical update)...to see who our baby girl would be. Again...we waited...2 weeks and 1 day...until we got the CALL!!! Our coordinator said..."check your e-mail" and sure enough...pictures of a beautiful baby girl!!!

She was born on May 11, 2006. She weighed 5lbs. 10oz. and was 18.5 inches long. Her birthname is Olga del Transito. She is absolutely adorable!!! When I saw her pictures for the first time...I just couldn't believe that someday she might come home!!! Benjamin looked at them and said "Is this my baby sister?" I said, "Maybe". He said "She's beautiful!!!" He's so sweet!!! He will make such a great big brother!!! Daddy's first reaction was..."She's cute, but she looks grumpy!!!" As we've gotten more updated photos, he thinks she's beautiful, of course! :)

After we accepted the referral...there was more paperwork and more waiting!!! In Guatemala the first thing they do are translate documents and ask for authorization to do a DNA test, to make sure the birthmother and baby match. We waited 6 weeks for that to be done and the results to come back, which were a match!!! We were so excited to find that out, because after DNA was done, we could go visit!!! "Baby Sister" here we come!!!

After DNA we waited for pre-approval from the embassy and we were also waiting to get out of Family Court. We got PA on 7/17/06 and our Family Court interviews were 7/13/06 (they interview the birthmother to make sure this is what she wants to do). We just found out yesterday that we excited Family Court and are onto the last court which is called PGN!!! We entered PGN on August 1, 2006. The approximate wait in PGN used to average 4-6 weeks, but now it is 8-12 weeks and that is without any kickouts (errors that need to be fixed...then you go back to the bottom of the pile). I'm still hoping she'll be home by Christmas!!!